Director of Engineering Experiential Learning (Clark in Madrid)

Position in Madrid, Spain beginning in January 2027

WHAT ARE WE SEEKING

The A. James Clark School of Engineering is seeking a creative and operationally skilled Director of Engineering Experiential Learning to lead the expansion of the Clark in Madrid program. This role is central to the Clark School’s mission of developing global engineers and STEM students by creating high-impact curricular and extra-curricular opportunities beyond the traditional classroom. The Director will be responsible for the end-to-end development, launch, and management of four pillar initiatives in Madrid: 

• Clark in Madrid’s technical engineering courses, providing support to faculty hired to teach these courses
• A semester-based undergraduate research program modelled off of the home campus's Vertically Integrated Projects initiative
• STEM-focused service-learning courses & experiences
• Collaborative international design competitions in partnership with two local university partners (Universidad Pontificia Comillas and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid) 

The successful candidate will bridge the gap between UMD’s academic excellence and its vibrant engineering ecosystem in Spain.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Clark in Madrid Technical Engineering, Math, and Entrepreneurship Courses

   • Oversee the deployment of University of Maryland technical and entrepreneurship courses in Madrid in partnership with the home university campus and local Spanish partners. 
   • 5-8 technical courses are anticipated to be offered with several new courses added each year and may include the following:
     • Engineering Statistics & Probability (2-3 sections/1 instructor/6 ECTS equivalent)
     • Managing People & Organizations (1-2 sections/1 instructor/5 ECTS equivalent)
     • Fundamentals of Start-up Ventures (1-2 sections/1 instructor/5 ECTS equivalent)
     • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (1-2 sections/1 instructor/5 ECTS equivalent)
     • Algorithms (1-2 sections/1 instructor/5 ECTS equivalent)
     • Computer Networks (1-2 sections/1 instructor/5 ECTS equivalent)

2. Undergraduate Research Program Management

   • Design a credit-bearing, 12-week summer or semester-embedded research framework for Clark School undergraduates in Madrid.
   • Identify and vet research labs and faculty mentors at partner institutions (e.g., Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) and local research institutes.
   • Ensure research projects meet Clark School departmental requirements for technical elective or capstone credit; oversee student progress and final deliverables.

3. STEM Service-Learning Initiatives

   • Develop credit-bearing service-learning courses that allow engineering students to apply technical skills to social challenges within the Madrid community or more broadly in Spain.
   • Establish and maintain relationships with Spanish NGOs, social enterprises, and local municipalities to identify sustainable, engineering-relevant service projects.
   • Serve as the instructor of record or coordinate with adjunct faculty to deliver course content focused on ethics, community engagement, and social responsibility in engineering.

4. International Engineering Design Competitions

   • Create and manage high-visibility engineering design "challenges" or competitions that pair UMD students with local Spanish engineering students.
   • Partner with Spanish and multinational engineering firms to sponsor challenges and provide professional mentorship and judging.
   • Manage all on-the-ground logistics for competitions, including makerspace access, materials procurement, and final showcase events.

5. Strategic Operations & Student Support

   • Work with OGEL to recruit a diverse cohort of engineering and STEM students; conduct information sessions and pre-departure orientations.
   • Serve in a shared role as one of the primary points of contact for student emergencies in Madrid and ensure all programs adhere to UMD’s international safety and risk management protocols.
   • Develop metrics to evaluate the impact of experiential learning on student global competency and technical growth.

HOW TO APPLY

We are seeking to fill this position in January 2027. We will be connecting with interested candidates between June 29 and July 3, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. If you are interested in learning more about the role and connecting with our leadership team, please complete the interest form and upload a copy of your resume/CV by June 22. We will follow up to schedule a time to connect during our upcoming visit to Madrid.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field (Ph.D. preferred)
• Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in program management, ideally within international education or engineering education
• Language: Professional fluency in both English and Spanish (written and oral)
• Cultural Competency: Proven experience navigating the Spanish higher education system and Spanish professional culture
• Must be able to legally reside and work in Spain

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in securing and managing research grants or corporate sponsorships.
• Background in engineering design or project-based learning instruction.

Maryland Engineering

The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland serves as the catalyst for high-quality research, innovation, and learning, preparing our students to create innovations that will address the 21st century Grand Challenges (e.g., energy, environment, security, and human health) and improve the human condition. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, to accelerating entrepreneurship, and to transforming research and learning activities into new innovations that benefit millions. Maryland Engineering enrolls over 3700 undergraduate students across 11 majors and 8 departments.